Articles by Utopia Support

Google mappers agree to updates

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in Features

The people behind Googles earth mapping programmes will improve the Cook Islands listings after meeting with government representatives in the United States last week. Members of the US economic mission that travelled to the western US states of California and Utah met with staff at Google to discuss the Cook Islands listings in mapping software […]

Use us graduate tells government

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in Features

USP graduate Anne Marie Herman-Fua yesterday urged the government to take full advantage of the skills and knowledge she and her graduating class have acquired through university study. Herman-Fua was the graduate speaker for her class, which comprises over 100 Cook Islanders. She asked the government to use the newly-qualified Cook Islanders, whose skills enable […]

Almost half of 100 graduates are teachers

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in Features

The academic achievements of more than 100 Cook Islanders were acknowledged at a USP graduation ceremony yesterday morning. USP pro-chancellor Fiame Naomi Mataafa presented the graduates with their diplomas at the National Auditorium. More than double the number of students took the stage than at the 2009 ceremony. I am pleased to note the Cook […]

Kata - August 20, 2011

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in Kata

Lifes good on the farm

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

Democratic Party Leader Robert Wigmore says life in opposition is one that suits him. The former minister for agriculture, tourism and a swath of other positions said he was not bound to his office for nearly as much time as he used to be freeing him up to work on his various farming sites and […]

Marjorie Crocombe honoured and described as a beacon of light

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

Marjorie Tuainekore Crocombe is the first female Cook Islander to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) by the University of the South Pacific. She received the award which recognises people whose published work and research constitute a distinguished and sustained achievement from pro-chancellor Fiame Naomi Mataafa at a USP graduation ceremony […]

Education report card out in English

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

Cook Islands News carries the English version of the Ministry of Education report card today. This is the first time the ministry has asked external sources to evaluate its performance and publicised the results. A panel of three people representing schools, school councils and the media CINews managing editor John Woods, Arorangi School committee member […]

Fishing association plans expansion

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

The Cook Islands Fishing Association is finalising its $1.1 million national development strategy for 2011 to 2014 with help from the Ministry of Marine Resources. The association is a relatively new organisation and aims to operate as a peak national body to represent the interests of all fishing clubs in the Cook Islands. MMR secretary […]

Carter speaks to chamber of commerce

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter will be the centre of attention at a luncheon next week, organised by the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce. The lunch at Bamboo Jacks restaurant in Tupapa starts at midday on Thursday and will allow business professionals, as well as some general members of the […]

Sea cable connection not viable

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

As Pacific countries like Palau and Tonga prepare to install undersea fibre-optic cables to enhance telecommunications services, Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) says a cable is not economically viable for the Cook Islands. TCI chief executive Jules Maher says the cable options he has explored do not make sense for the Cook Islands, which are scattered […]

Epati leaving public service

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

On September 30 Navy Epati will walk away from five years as a government employee. The public service commissioner has been staying in the role almost a year longer than anticipated, on the request of the new Cook Islands Party government. Last year he signalled his desire to leave the public sector. His willingness to […]

Health scare leads to hospital upgrade

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in National

Public service commissioner Navy Epati is leading an initiative to improve Rarotonga Hospitals theatre procedures, following a prolonged surgery recovery and subsequent health scare. He is working in collaboration with health minister Nandi Glassie, health secretary Tupou Faireka and Rarotonga-based director of hospital services Dr Tikaka Henry. Epati says New Zealand medical specialists he has […]

Hes the best watchdog there is

Saturday 20 August 2011 | Published in Smoke Signals

Why would the Public Service Commission reduce the qualifications for Audit director when we need the best we can have? a smoke signaller asks. Is it another government attempt to mould the qualifications to suit someone they want to hire, I wonder? Are we going to have another CIP boychick foisted on us that will […]

Planning underway for 2021

Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk

It may still be 10 years away, but the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) does not think it is too early to start planning celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the gospels introduction to the Cook Islands. A group of CICC members have already banded together to begin making plans for the 2021 celebrations and […]

Approach the gospel with intellect and faith

Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Church Talk

Every religion has a certain amount of intellectual content which the follower of the religion presumably wants to get to know. But Christians face two specific dangers as they grapple with Christianitys doctrines. On the one hand, they often become unduly subjective. Christian teaching concerns the nature of God and what he has done for […]

Renewable energy top topic for PMs

Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Environment

Last weekend Prime Minister Henry Puna met with his New Zealand counterpart for the first time. Puna met John Key at the Beehive on a snowy Wellington Monday (Sunday local time). He later asked reporters not to blame him for bringing the snow with him, but said it was quite exciting to be in Wellington […]

Heist fires imagination

Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Local

Aitutakis bank burglary is capturing the imagination of international media, featuring in some prominent news services including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Last week Cook Islands News broke a story about Aitutakis Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) branch being burgled of thousands of dollars. Since then several media services and journalists have made sure […]

Bail-out money not sourced yet

Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Local

Government is still not sure where it will draw up to $126,000 from, to honour its guarantee with Air New Zealand and Air Calin that Team Cook Islands will travel to the Pacific Games in New Caledonia. This week cabinet agreed to provide a guarantee of up to $126,000 as the Cook Islands Sports and […]

Peace Bird book launched

Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Local

Paddy Walker with Margaret Karika at a launch ceremony for Paddys newly-published book The Peace Bird. Over 40 people turned up to the Peace Garden yesterday to mark the publication of Paddys book for children. More photos and a story about the launch function will be published in tomorrows CINews. 11081833

Kata - August 19, 2011

Friday 19 August 2011 | Published in Kata